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Customs Declares War On Border Crimes, Promises End To Multiple Checkpoints At Seme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intensified efforts to eliminate border crimes and trade obstacles by hosting a crucial stakeholders’ meeting designed to promote seamless and legitimate commerce along the Seme border corridor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The high-level gathering brought together representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), traditional leaders, trade associations, clearing agents, and community heads.
According to Nivo News, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Area Controller of the Seme Command, voiced strong concern over the persistence of unethical practices and the proliferation of checkpoints along the border route. He stressed the need for inter-agency cooperation and community engagement to eliminate practices that undermine Nigeria’s image and stifle regional trade.
“The number of checkpoints we have is excessive and disgraceful,” Adenuga said. “The Comptroller-General has ordered that unnecessary checkpoints be removed. No officer should delay legitimate business operations. After this meeting, it will not be business as usual. We’ll establish an implementation committee to enforce our resolutions.”
Adenuga commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, describing him as a global standard-bearer in customs administration. He added that when legitimate trade thrives, crime naturally reduces — a vision that the Customs leadership is determined to uphold to foster economic growth and regional development.
Community leader, Joseph Agoro, raised concerns about the conduct of “camp boys” — individuals allegedly recruited by security agencies — who harass commuters and residents along the corridor. He condemned the practice, saying it creates unnecessary tension and embarrassment.
“It’s already bad enough that we have multiple checkpoints,” Agoro lamented. “But it’s worse when unknown individuals, who aren’t real officers, stop and question passengers. We deserve to know who is engaging us. Residents can’t continue to endure such unfair treatment.”
The Oba of Kweme Kingdom in Badagry, Oba Sejiro Ogungbe, commended the Customs Service for reducing frequent clashes with smugglers, which previously led to avoidable loss of lives in border communities.
In response, Comptroller Adenuga assured participants that multiple checkpoints would soon be drastically reduced. He revealed that the Customs Service is working closely with the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser to resolve the issue.
He further cautioned other security agencies against unauthorized presence along the Seme route, warning that any officer or agency found flouting the directive would face sanctions. Adenuga also emphasized that the use of camp boys has been outlawed, adding that any officer caught employing them would be disciplined.
Representing the Nigerian Air Force, Capt. H.I. Medugu commended Adenuga for initiating the meeting, describing it as a timely intervention to address mounting public complaints.
The Defence Attaché, Colonel S. Yahaya, who represented Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Ambassador Olukayode Olugbenga Aluko, pledged that all resolutions from the meeting would be implemented by the relevant authorities to enhance border operations and promote peaceful coexistence.
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Tragedy Rocks Equatorial Guinea Squad As Jesus Owono Withdraws Following Tenerife Forward’s Death.
Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono has withdrawn from the national team squad ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Zimbabwe following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The 30-year-old striker died on Monday after suffering a serious injury in a collision with Owono during a Spanish second-division match.
Owono, 25, described the incident as “the most difficult days of my life” in a statement released by his club, FC Andorra, on Wednesday.
The goalkeeper also admitted that it was “very hard to come to terms with what has happened” as he continues to grapple with the emotional impact of the tragedy.
Equatorial Guinea’s football federation, Feguifut, confirmed that Owono had asked to withdraw from the squad named by head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese for the upcoming fixtures.
Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Micha had earlier expressed the federation’s support for the goalkeeper, promising “all our human and professional backing” to help him through the difficult period.
Owono has been Equatorial Guinea’s first-choice goalkeeper since November 2020 and has represented the country at the last three AFCON tournaments. His withdrawal is therefore a significant setback for the National Thunder as they prepare for their two meetings with Zimbabwe.
Equatorial Guinea will host Zimbabwe in Bata on Thursday, November 12, before travelling to Harare for the return leg on Monday, November 16.
Both sides have earned three points from their opening two Group E matches and are currently level in the standings.
DR Congo lead the group with six points, while Sierra Leone sit at the bottom without a point.
The two-match encounter offers Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe an opportunity to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the tournament. However, the National Thunder will now have to prepare for the fixtures without their established first-choice goalkeeper.
Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in next year’s election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Tashima said his ambition is to promote integrity, transparency and high ethical standards in global football, drawing inspiration from the principles that have guided Japanese football over the years.
“I believe it is important to clearly communicate to the world of football the integrity, soundness, and high moral standards that Japanese football has cherished and built up over the years,” he said.
“I have decided to run for Fifa presidential election in order to convey this philosophy to the world and contribute to a better future for football.
“I will take on this challenge with strong determination, making use of the experience I have cultivated so far, and contributing to the further development of world football.”
Tashima’s declaration comes amid growing scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership, particularly following the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which sought to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
FIFA reportedly abandoned the proposal in late July after facing widespread opposition from stakeholders across the football community.
However, Infantino’s re-election campaign received a boost after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) endorsed his bid, following a change of position by its president, Sheikh Salman.
In October, Infantino also told BBC Sport that he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of world football as he seeks a fourth term in office.
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega was the first candidate to announce his intention to challenge Infantino in October. Tashima has now joined the contest.
JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto welcomed Tashima’s decision, describing it as an opportunity to contribute to the development of world football and showcase the values of Japanese football.
Candidates have until November 18 to declare their intention to contest the election. However, Tashima and other aspirants must obtain nominations from at least five FIFA member associations to qualify for the presidential race.
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